Bowling ball cleaner



May 10, 1949. .E. o. BUNE BOWLING BALL CLEANER Fil edAug. '28, 1944 INVENTOR. BY:

Patented May 10, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOWLING BALL CLEANER Edwin O. Bune, Anoka, Minn.

Application August 28, 1944, Serial No. 551,502

Claims. 1

This invention relates to machines for cleaning and polishing bowling balls and other spheroids having a rather high specific gravity.

Bowling balls and other spheroids subject to rolling action and other use, pick up and become coated with dirt and foreign material, usually in the form of a film or partially consisting of deposit. It is necessary that such deposits be removed Without injuring the finished natural surface of the ball or spheroid and that the natural surface be uniformly rubbed and polished for future use.

Several machines for cleaning and polishing bowling balls have been commercially used, but

for the most part are expensive, inefficient and the brushes thereof wear out quickly. Furthermore, such prior art devices do not provide a thoroughly accurate and uniform rubbing relationship between the brush and the ball; nor do they provide for constant oscillation of the ball through axes, angled with reference to the axis of the brush. Consequently balls treated by such machines are not uniformly cleaned and polished and much unnecessary time as well as power consumption is required.

It is an object of my invention to provide a simple, comparatively inexpensive but highly efficient machine for cleaning and polishing bowling balls and the like which very uniformly and relatively quickly performs its work, utilizing a minimum amount of power and which preferably centers the ball with reference to the cleaning brush.

A further object is the provision of a machine of the class described wherein all parts requiring adjustment or replacement for wear are readily detachable and replaceable and wherein the construction is such that a minimum amount of wear on the working parts is received in comparison to the cleaning brushes of the machine;

More specifically it is an object to provide an efficient ball-cleaning machine wherein adjustment may be readily made for balls of different weight and wherein the ball is yieldably held by a supporting cradle with such cooperation that only a proportion of the weight of the ball requisite for proper scraping action is imposed upon the rotary cleaning brush itself.

A further object is the provision of a machine of the class described wherein an improved and more uniform cleaning action is obtained by a materially improved rotary cleaning brush of general spherical shape combined with a ball cradle mechanism associated therewith.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be more apparent from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views and in which- W Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectiontaken on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotary brush and showing a ball operatively applied thereto;

Figure 3 is a vertical section through my machine on a plane passing through the axle of the ball-cleaning drum;

Figure 4 is a view partly in top plan view and mostly in horizontal cross section showing the relationship of the ball cradle and the cleaning drum;

Figure 5 is a plane view of one of the multi-ply cleaning elements attached;

Figure 6 is a section of the same. 7

As shown in the drawings, the working mechanism of my machine is housed in a suitable, boxlike ornamental cabinet provided withifour vertical supporting legs 8, side panels 9 on the front and side walls of the cabinet and a hingeddoor it mounted as shown on the rear of the cabinet and affording access to the motor, cradle and cradle adjusting mechanism as well as the brush or cleaning drum disposed therein. The cabinet has a horizontal top H which is centrally apertured to receive a short tubular ball-guiding skirt 52 which may be constructed of heavy flexible fabric or the like. As shown, the skirt I2 has an outturned flange 12a at its upper edge which is supported upon an annular rabbet provided at the top of the skirt edge defining the ball-receiving opening and which is shown as clamped against the top by a suitable narrow clamping ring I3 which should be disposed concentrically but outwardly of the edge of the top I I defining the open- A rotary spool-like cleaning brush or drum indicated as an entirety by the letter D is horizontally mounted Within the upper portion of the cabinet below the ball-guiding skirt l2 and with its axis disposed substantially diametrically of the ball-receivingaperture. As shown, drum D comprises a rigid axle Ill having diminished ends or journals Ma which are journaled in suitable block bearings l5 fixed to horizontal cross pieces l6 which transverse and are interconnected with the appropriate vertical legs 8 of the cabinet at the front and back thereof.

The cleaning brushproper is composed of a plurality of multi-ply disc-shaped cleaning elements or swabs 11, the elements being of different diameter to form when associated a spoolshaped entirety with their combinative multiply edges disposed in abutting and yielding relationship to constitute the periphery of the spool. The periphery of this spool is generated by an arcuate line in comformance to the average size ball to be cleaned. Each of theswabs I! may be made up of a multiplicity of plies of soft, nonabrasive, flexible sheet material such as cheesecloth, fabric, or other material and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the several plies are superimposed co-axially, are provided with central apertures to accommodate the axle of'the brush and are further stitched together and compacted along two or more concentric circles Ila, the outermost of which is disposed inwardly'some distance from the periphery of the several disc plies.

In assembling the several cleaning elements or-swabs 11, the outermostand largest diameter element I1 is fitted onto the axle 14 in abutment with a rigid collar l8 at one end of the spool and the successive cleaning elements in proper successive order as to diameter are mounted on axle. 14' with rigid spacercollars IQ of smaller diameterinterposed.therebetween. The last and largest element .ll' at the oppositeend-of the spool is engaged and compacted by a clamping collar 1 18 andua clamping, nut 28 engages a threaded portion of the axle l4 adjacent its rear end and abuts against thelast mentioned collar I8 to adjustably clamp the whole series of cleaning-elements together and to apply the requisite compacting force, At theforward end'of the cleaning brush D, a driven pulley 2| is provided, fixedly engaged with the collar l8 or keyedto the axle l4 and held against forward movement by a small flange Mbwhich is flex or integrally formed with axle l4.

The brush is driven by a suitable power source, such as the electric motorM, mounted as shown on a transverse platform 22 which as shown has its forward edge confined beneath a horizontal cross bar23 afiixed to the front legs and which platform is of rectangular shape to fit within the four legs of the cabinet. The driving pulley 24 of the motor M is connected as shown by an endless belt 25 with the driven pulley 2| of the brush and the length of the belty25 is such that platform 22 is maintained aboveengagement with the bottom 26 of' the cabinet, the :weight of; the motor acting as abelt tightener in-con junction with the forwardedge of the platform 22 which because of the cross bar 23 is in effect hinged to the forward side of the cabinet. The rear corners of platform 22 are notched and when the platform is operatively mounted, the notched portions slip downwardly over a pair of vertical blocks 23a fixed to the opposing inner sides of the rear legs 8 of the cabinet frame. Thus to remove the platform 22 to repair the jmotor or pulley, the platform is first swungupwardly sufiiciently to clear the blocks '23 and then slid rearwardly out of the cabinet.

I provide an efficient mechanism for cradlin and partially supporting a ball to be cleaned, such means closely cooperating with the rotary drum D to cause the weight of the ball to place ersing therearlegs 8,0f the cabinetlframetand rigidly secured thereto and also comprising a front vertical plate or board 28 similarly secured between the front legs of the cabinet. A centrally disposed heavy stringer member 29 is secured across the lower portion of the vertical plates 21 and 28 which acts as the main and stationary support for the adjustable cradle partition 3U. Cradle partition 38 as shown is in the form of a U-shaped plate disposed vertically and held and'guided for vertical adjustment by slideways or grooves 31 supplied bythe rear and front walls 21 and 28 of the sub-frame. Said grooves may be conveniently formed by vertical strips 3 la secured vertically and centrally on the opposing inner sides of plates 21 and 28. The central upper portion of the rectangular cradle partitiontfl is deeply recessed to accommodate and clear the cleaning brush D, to receive with the vertical and lower edge of the board giving the partition a U-shape. On opposite sides of the recessed portion or partition 38 upwardly and inwardly directed ball rests 32 are provided, as shown constituting rather thick discs of small diameter, the twoball rests-discs being. angularly relatedatapproximately 90 and spaced apart and positioned properly to substantially center a ball B with reference to the ballguiding skirt l2 and the rotary brush D. Ball rests 32 are rigidly affixed to reinforced portions or short arms 33 of the cradle partition 39. The rigid discs 32 are covered with relatively thick movable ball seats 32a constructed of heavy felt or some other non-abrasive and compressible material. The seats 32a are preferably formed of unitary construction with a backing'sheet which may be adhesively secured to the outer face of its associated ball rests 32.

It is important that cradle partition 30 be yieldingly and adjustablysupported from the rigid stringer member. 29 to accommodate and properly clean balls of different Weights and-to furthermore relieve the cleaning drum D from the full weight of. the ball and in so doing materially decrease the wear on the cleaning drum. To this end suitable replacement means, as shown, in the form of a vertically disposed coil spring 34. is interposed between the lower central portion ofthe cradle-partitioned! and rigid stringer member29. The centralor lower portion ofpartition 38 is reinforced by additional blocks 30a orby an integrally formed bossand this reinforced partition is vertically drilled to form a short vertical socket therein for accommodating spring 34.

Thus by adjusting-the screw 39 the base of the support for spring 34 which yieldingly supports cradle partition 30. maybe raised or. lowered to vary the normalheight of. the two ball rests 32 and to consequently compensate for balls of varying width aswellas balls of 'varying diameter. 7

In constructing my machinethe ball guiding ski-rt l2 and ball rests 32 are purposely disposed relative tothe rotary brush Dwhen said'brush isassembled and the elements. thereof compacted foroperation slightly out of thecent'er with the center of the brush, in order that various oscilla tions of the ball during the cleaningioperation along axes angled with respect tothe axis- 0f the brush rather than parallel thereto will be obtained. This is essential for the ball to be thoroughly cleaned in a minimum amountof time.-

In operation the screw 89 is adjusted con veniently byopening thelreardoor lutoproperly position the ball seats 32 for yieldable action when the ball is disposed in Figure 2 to put proper pressure upon the periphery of the rotary cleaning drum D. Adjustment should be made so that the greater part of the weight of the ball is supported by the cradle rather than the cleaning drum, and of course, screw 39 must be adjusted for balls which vary considerably in weight or in diameter. A light coil spring a0 is secured between the central portion of the cradle partition 30 and stringer 29 to urge the partition downwardly against the tension of the supporting coil spring 34.

The motor is then operated to rigidly drive the cleaning drum and the frictional engagement at the upper area of the drum with the ball, frictionally removes films or other deposits from the ball and polishes the same, the tractional engagement with the ball causing the ball to very slowly turn along a general axis parallel with the axis of drum D. However, due to the slightly ofi center relationship between the cradle and ball guiding skirt l2 and drum D, the ball will also oscillate in its ball-turning movement along a number of different axes in a combined rolling movement in its cradle and upon the drum D. Such oscillation is irregular, cannot be predetermined but coupled with the tractive rotation of the ball insures a thorough cleaning and polishing in very short time of the entire area of the 'ball.

The inherent structure of my cleaning drum D is of considerable importance in its association with the cradle mechanism in that while the spool-like surface formed by the peripheral portions of the several cleaner disc elements I! is substantially continuous, nevertheless it is made up of circumferential zones which give a greater tractive effort for turning the ball than if a continuous wadded or multi-ply drum were used with the elimination of spacing means between the individual elements.

The drum structure further enables new cleaning elements or disc swabs I! to be substituted for worn elements by quickly removing the drum bodily from the inside of the casing and disassembling the elements of the drum by removing the clamping nut 20.

The utilization of a plurality of multi-ply elements l1 spaced apart at their central portion and with their edges and marginal portions only constituting in unison the frictional cleaning surfaces, provides a rotating brush which will greatly outlast brushes heretofore used in this art. In actual use I have found that one of my rotary brushes properly constructed will not require replacement of its cleaning elements until in excess of one thousand average weight bowling balls have been perfectly cleaned and polished.

What I claim is:

1. A ball cleaning machine comprising a rotary cleaning brush, shaped to conform to the bottom of a ball, mounted on a horizontal axis, a yieldable supporting cradle for loosely holding a ball during cleaning, said cradle havin a plurality of spaced ball rests of relatively small area at least one thereof being mounted at each side of the central upper surface of said cleaning brush and means for driving said rotary brush.

2. A ball cleaning machine comprising a rotary cleaning brush, shaped to conform to the bottom of a ball, mounted on a horizontal axis, a supporting cradle at the sides of said brush for loosely holding a ball during cleaning, said cradle comprising a plurality of ball rests of relatively small area in comparison to the balls to be cleaned and mounted at the sides of the central upper surface of said rotary brush, means for driving said rotary brush and an annular ball-guiding skirt mounted above said cradle and brush for cooperating with the same.

3. A ball cleaning machine comprising a spoolshaped rotary cleaning brush mounted on a horizontal axis, the contour of said brush being shaped to fit the lower periphery of a ball to be cleaned, a supporting cradle for loosely holding and mainly supporting a, ball during cleaning, said cradle comprising a plurality of ball rests disposed respectively at the longitudinal sides of said brush, resilient means for supporting said cradle, said means being tensioned to yield to the weight of a ball whereby a portion only of such weight will be supported by said brush and means for driving said rotary brush.

4. A ball cleaning machine comprising a spoolshaped rotary brush mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis, a, ball-supporting cradle comprising supporting elements disposed at opposite sides of said brush for cooperating therewith to support the weight of the ball, means for driving said brush, and a ball-guiding skirt disposed above said brush and cradle and slightly off center in relation to the medial portion of said spool shaped brush whereby the ball, during cleaning, will oscillate in a combined rolling movement in its cradle and upon said brush.

5. A ball-cleaning machine having in combination a spool-shaped rotary brush mounted on a horizontal axis, said brush being composed of a series of circular, axially aligned cleaning elements of decreasing diameter from each end to the central portion of said brush, each comprising a multiplicity of compressible, superimposed plies of flexible material cut in circular form and having their medial portions secured together and thereby slightly compressed, with their edges forming in combination, a substantially continuous ball-engagin surface, means for clamping said several elements together to form a spoolshaped brush with the peripheral contour thereof corresponding to the spherical periphery of a ball, means for rotating said brush at high speed and a supporting cradle for holding a ball above said brush, said cradle having yieldable supporting elements whereby the lower portion of the ball will be engaged by the periphery of said brush.

EDWIN O. BUNE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,500,681 Mundra July 8, 1924 1,819,800 Turner Aug. 18, 1931 2,039,677 Brooks May 5, 1936 2,195,303 Haskins Mar. 26, 1940 

